Panaji: Onion prices rose to around Rs 70 per kg this week, up Rs 10 from last week, as traders await fresh supply.Traders attributed the increase to limited availability of the new crop and relatively low rainfall.“New stock is coming, but the supply is not coming out much,” said seller Ali Bepari, adding that the incoming onions are expected to be of better quality. “The current price situation could persist for another 20 to 25 days, depending on how quickly fresh supplies reach the market,” said Bepari.Another seller, Aladdin Shaikh, said the new onions have already started arriving, but quantities remain insufficient to ease prices. “Once the new stock becomes more widely available, prices are expected to stabilise,” said Shaikh.Garlic prices have also seen changes in recent weeks. Himachal garlic is being sold at around Rs 400 per kg, while Indian garlic is available for approximately Rs 280 per kg. The larger variety of garlic, which was earlier around Rs 300 per kg, has now climbed to about Rs 400 per kg.Despite these fluctuations, sellers said prices of several other commonly purchased vegetables, including tomatoes, have remained broadly stable.At the Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd (GSHCL), out of the 70,000 subsidised coconuts procured ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, all but 5,000 were sold just a day before the festival began. Officials expect the remaining stock to sell out completely as outlets reopen.“Vendor sales and remaining inventory will be assessed to determine if additional stock needs to be procured. If high demand continues, we shall continue procuring and supplying subsidised coconuts through the 11th day of Ganesh Chaturthi to ensure consumers are supported throughout the festive period,” said agriculture director Chandrahas Desai.
